After reaching the shores of “a large lake of salt water” in July 1847, Wilford Woodruff wrote that he and his fellow travelers concluded the Great Salt Lake was one of the wonders of the world.
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As Utah celebrates Pioneer Day 179 years later, it is worth reflecting on this resource and its impact on our economy, health and way of life.
The Great Salt Lake has long been one of Utah’s greatest natural assets, fueling the state’s economy, enhancing snowfall, and supporting recreation and wildlife. But as the lake dries, it is becoming one of Utah’s greatest health threats, exposing more than 2.5 million residents to toxic dust.
Our responsibility to understand the risk
Salt Lake Valley residents already face elevated health risks from winter inversions, wildfires and other air pollution. These pollutants are linked to increased cancer risk and can worsen outcomes for people already living with cancer.
As the Great Salt Lake recedes, the exposed lake bed releases dust containing heavy metals and other toxic substances into our air. As a physician-scientist and Salt Lake Valley resident, this raises questions I can’t ignore: What does long-term exposure mean for our health, our children’s health and our cancer risk? And how might it affect people already living with cancer?
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah is working to answer these questions. In the coming months, our researchers will study whether this dust increases the risk of blood cancers, blood clots and other blood disorders. Using Utah’s unique research resources, including the Utah Population Database, our teams will examine cancer risk across the lifespan and collect blood samples from residents to look for early warning signs of blood cancer in populations exposed to Great Salt Lake dust.
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Our goal is straightforward: help Utahns understand their risk and protect this remarkable lake.
The beginning of a larger effort
At Huntsman Cancer Institute, caring for Utahns means more than treating cancer after it develops — it means understanding and preventing the factors that raise cancer risk. By identifying the health consequences of Great Salt Lake dust exposure, we can give policymakers and public health officials the evidence they need to protect residents.
Drought, rising temperatures and increased demand for water make this urgent. Utah’s response to the Great Salt Lake could serve as a model for other communities facing similar environmental health challenges.
A Commitment to Our State
Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded to improve lives in Utah and beyond. When new cancer challenges emerge, scientific discovery remains our most powerful defense — helping us protect future generations and carry Utah’s pioneering spirit forward.
This Pioneer Day, let’s celebrate what makes our state remarkable — the lake’s pink waters, sunsets, migratory birds and free-roaming bison. As the Great Salt Lake changes, understanding its effect on human health is essential to protecting the people who call Utah home.
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